Coalition Forces Fend Off Enemy Attack in Afghanistan

American Forces Press Service

Aug. 7, 2007 - Elements of the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army Corps, along with coalition forces, repelled more than 75 enemy fighters who were attempting to overrun Firebase Anaconda in Oruzgan province this morning. The insurgents attacked the firebase from three sides, using small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and 107 mm rockets at daybreak, military officials said. The combined Afghan and coalition forces used small-arms, machine-gun and mortar fire to repel the enemy advance. Close air support was called in to destroy the enemy fighters.

Almost two dozen insurgents were confirmed killed in the attack. Four Afghan girls, ages 2-12, were wounded by the insurgent's errant rocket-propelled grenade fire. The girls and two Afghan soldiers who received minor wounds were evacuated to a nearby coalition medical facility for treatment.

"This attack shows the desperation that the Taliban must be experiencing in their attempt to overthrow the duly elected government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokeswoman. "The inability of the insurgent forces to inflict any severe damage on Firebase Anaconda, while being simultaneously decimated in the process, should be a clear indication of the ineffectiveness of their fighters. Further, erratic fire from insurgents continues to injure and kill innocent civilians."

(From a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release.)